This Is The Retinol-Infused Oil You Need To Start Using Before Bed

I know that you should never judge a book by its cover, but I’ll be honest, the only reason I initially picked up Sunday Riley’s Luna Sleeping Night Oil was because of its pretty packaging. The midnight blue bottle was just too intriguing. Plus, I was on an ongoing quest to find an oil that deserved a permanent spot in my skincare routine.

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I had dabbled in facial oils before, but typically I worked them into my daytime regimen—mixing them in with my moisturizer for an extra boost of hydration or simply using them to give skin a glowy touch before applying foundation. This formula seemed different since it was specifically designed for nighttime use. One of the first things that surprised me was that the oil was the same shade of blue as its bottle. Its dark hue is due to the blue tansy and German chamomile oils in it that are designed to calm skin while also reducing the appearance of redness.

While calming benefits are always appreciated (especially for my constantly flushed skin), the ingredient that really made this oil a winner was the trans retinoic acid ester complex a.k.a. retinol. This anti-aging secret weapon helps reduce fine lines, improves texture and boosts radiance, but unlike other formulations, this one doesn’t irritate or dry out skin because its paired with nourishing botanical oils. Fusing these two ingredients together makes it gentle enough to use nightly.

However, one of the very best things about this oil is its I just stepped into a spa smell. The light floral aroma has an immediate relaxing effect. It smells so good, even my husband whose skincare “routine” is more or less nonexistent, has become addicted to it as well.

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Between its divine aroma and its combination of skin-loving ingredients, the formula is worth every penny of its slightly hefty price tag, especially since you only use a few drops at a time. Nothing else makes my complexion look as refreshed as this sleeping oil, and I swear it’s the closest I’ve gotten to beauty sleep in a bottle.